The effectiveness of new urban trail infrastructure on physical activity and active transportation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of natural experiments.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cities in Western countries are investing billions of dollars in new cycling infrastructure (urban trails) to support active transportation (AT) and leisure-type physical activity (PA). Little empirical evidence exists on the effectiveness of urban trails on changes in AT or PA.

Design and methods

We searched CINAHL, OVID, SPORTDiscus, Transport Research International Documentation (TRID), Web of Science Core Collection and Google Scholar for articles published from 2010 to 2023. We included controlled experimental studies that reported PA, AT or trail counts as outcome measures before and after construction of an urban trail. A modified risk of bias tool was employed to assess the methodological quality of each selected study (Prospero ID: CRD42023438891).

Res

SUBMITTER: Fast I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11951833 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature